There was a time when having a passport meant you were part of the jet set, a world traveler and one of the rich and famous. Passports were necessary for flying to such exotic locales as Australia, Morocco or Tibet but considered overkill for the average citizen making the occasional drive south to Mexico or flying into British Columbia for a winter ski trip. The attacks of September 11th however, followed by bombings in London and Paris, have changed the way Americans look at international travel and as a result, there are new passport requirements affecting all United States citizens. The new rules went into effect in January 2007 requiring passports for anyone traveling outside their home country. This leaves many people scrambling to meet rapidly approaching travel deadlines, wondering how to get a passport. Still, as daunting as the task might seem, the following tips will have you sailing the seas or soaring across the Atlantic in no time.

Do I Need a Passport?

Congress responded to the ever-increasing threat of terrorism by issuing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) in 2004. This initiative tightened border security while at the same time established procedures for legitimate travelers. Consequently, anyone entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region is required to possess a passport, even American citizens returning home. Whereas Americans could previously visit Canada and Mexico with just their Driver’s License and a copy of their birth certificate, they are now required to have a passport. The WHTI requirements are being implemented in stages, and air travelers were required to comply as early as January of this year. Vacationers traveling by sea or land were to comply by July.

Although the U.S. Department of State has taken steps to extend the deadline for those who are in the application process, the short of it is that anyone entering the United States, including infants and children, need to have their own passport.

How to Apply

Applying for a passport is simple. Applications are available in all federal buildings, including the Post Office, as well as online from the State Department’s website. The online version, available at travel.state.gov , is an interactive form that allows you to enter all the necessary information before printing the completed document. The application for a passport begins with asking you for your vital statistics: name, date of birth, place of birth, social security number, etc. It then asks for a physical description, including height and eye color. There are questions about your employer, your travel plans, who you would like as your emergency contact and whether or not you have ever used other names. It is important that you list all the names you have been known by, including your maiden name and any names you may have used in the past, even those you would rather forget. The application also asks about your parents and where they were born, helping to establish your citizenship. The application concludes with asking if you have ever held a passport before and if so, where and when it was issued. Once all the information is complete, you’re ready for the next step, submitting the application.

What to Bring

In addition to your completed application for a passport, you will also need proof you are a citizen of the United States. If you are a citizen of another country, you will need to apply for a passport with the consulate or embassy representing your native country. Proof of citizenship can be established in several ways. The most common way is to present your original birth certificate. It is important your birth certificate is an official copy from the government agency responsible for keeping vital records for the county or city in which you were born. Generally speaking, hospital birth certificates and religious birth certificates are not acceptable for applying for a passport. It is important to note that the original certificate is required and the passport acceptance agency will keep your original birth certificate with the application before returning it to you with your new passport.

If you do not have a copy of the official, government-issued birth certificate, the State Department’s website offers links to the vital records departments of all 50 states. Many states allow you order copies of your birth certificate online, while others require notarized documents stating you are the person who is named in the birth certificate. If in doubt about your birth certificate, take it by your local post office and ask if it meets the requirements for getting a passport. If not, order a copy immediately. The last thing you need is to have your travel plans delayed because of a birth certificate. Even if you are not traveling anytime soon, everyone should have a valid copy of this important record.

You also need to have valid, government-issued identification. This can be in the form of a driver’s license, a naturalization certificate or a previous U.S. passport. In rare instances where someone does not have valid identification, a subscribing witness may be used however that person must have known you for at least two years, have valid identification, and be a United States citizen or permanent resident. This person is basically vouching for you and stating under penalty of perjury that you are in fact who you say you are. Having a witness does not get rid of the proof of citizenship requirement, though, so make sure that you still bring your original birth certificate.

Lastly, you will need to bring two passport photos. Unlike family snapshots, passport photos have strict guidelines. Your best bet is to visit any in-store photo studio, such as those found in department stores or discount stores and ask for passport photos. These studios are well-versed in the requirements and can generally provide you with quality photos for less than $20. Some passport acceptance agencies offer photography services, but not all, so check with the agency where you intend to submit your application before making this decision.

Where to Apply

With your completed application, your photos, your birth certificate and your identification in hand, you are ready to file your application. There are over 9,000 passport acceptance agencies throughout the country so finding a location is easy.

Many are found in federal offices, such as the Post Office and these agencies can usually accept your application, collect your fees and even take your photograph, all in one convenient location. Many local government offices also accept passport applications, such as the community public library or your City Clerk’s department, found at City Hall. In exchange for processing these applications the federal government allows these non-federal agencies to retain a portion of the fee collected. Check with your local Post Office or community website to find the location nearest to you. Some centers require appointments, other allow walk-ins. If one center is exceptionally busy, call another nearby agency. You may find that your main post office has a two week wait for appointments while the smaller, rural post office in the town next door has no wait at all and welcomes walk-ins.

How Much does it Cost?

The fee for an adult, 16 years or older is $67. Children are slightly less at $52. The execution fee for all applicants is $30. If you want overnight mailing to the State Department’s Passport Processing Center, those fees are extra. Traveling in a hurry? Expedited processing is available for an additional fee of $60. Expedited applications for a U.S. passport can be expected in about two weeks. Standard processing time is approximately 6-8 weeks. However due to increased demand, the State Department recommends expedited processing for anyone traveling within 10 weeks of applying for a passport.

Special Notes for Children

Children needing a passport have a special set of rules, primarily to protect your child from parental abduction. If your child is under 14 years of age both parents must sign the application. The child must also personally appear with you when you file the application. If your child does not have their own identification, you will be required to present your own I.D. Applying as a family often avoids these tricky special circumstances so plan on making a day of it and why not take everyone out for ice cream once you are finished. The passports will be on their way in no time and your kids will always remember the experience.

Technology has made applying for a passport easier than ever. Government websites offer the application forms, information on where to file, how to have your pictures taken and some even let you know the best time to submit your paperwork. Spending just a few minutes now, well in advance of your travel date, will save you countless hours of stress and frustration farther down the line when getting your passport is the last thing you want to think about.

Are You Family Vacation Smart?

Are you family vacation smart? You want to get the best bang for your buck when traveling with the family. You might be great at planning and organizing a fun family vacation, but are you making it a savvy family time, or are you feeding into the tourist traps? Your level of family vacation smarts can save you money along the way. Take this family vacation smarts quiz to determine if you are saving money or wasting money during your family vacation.